Newsletter articles from 2012

Cameras in the Courtroom Pilot ProjectBy Marron MahoneyDecember 2012It has yet to go viral on YouTube, but the first video of a federal court proceeding in Chicago is now available for viewing on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois’ Web site.

Confidentiality orders and filing under sealBy Patricia S. SmartDecember 2012The United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Illinois recently revised rules relating to the filing of documents under seal. The District Court for the Northern District also adopted a Model Confidentiality Order earlier this year.

The demands of a jury demandBy Travis J. KettermanMarch 2012While the right to a jury trial is deemed a fundamental right, the right is not self-enforcing. Thus, a party seeking a jury trial—even a party with a cause of action that entitles the party to a jury—must affirmatively demand a jury trial. Rule 38(b) dictates the jury demand requirements.

E-discovery Pilot Program completes Phase TwoBy Hon. James F. HoldermanJune 2012All of the Phase One and Phase Two survey data, including the results of the other comparative E-Filer baseline surveys are available at <www.DiscoveryPilot.com>.

FRCP 45—The toolbox of discovery has pending amendmentsBy Ambrose V. McCallMarch 2012All Illinois counsel who practice in federal court may want to calendar a few dates in late 2012 or early 2013 to not only check on the status of FRCP 45, but to review their office procedures to see if they comply with the provisions detailing how we use one of our primary tools for conducting discovery.

Northern District welcomes Judge John Z. LeeBy Daniel ThiesDecember 2012An immigrant who came to the United States in 1972 at the age of four, unable to even speak English, Judge Lee rose to become the first Korean American ever to serve as an Article III federal judge in the Northern District.

Online resources available to section membersBy Jay H. SchollMarch 2012The Federal Civil Practice Section has launched several online resources for its members. Primary among those resources are the Section’s Web site and discussion list.

Plaintiffs strike out in bids for remand in Class Action Fairness Act casesBy Michael R. LiedMarch 2012The Act creates federal diversity jurisdiction over certain class actions in which at least one member of the class is a citizen of a different state from any defendant. 28 U.S.C. § 1332(d)(2). The Act applies to any class action within the Act’s scope before or after the entry of a class certification order.

Reply briefs: Who speaks last to the court?By Ambrose V. McCallSeptember 2012The Smith v. Bray opinion aids efforts to provide reply arguments, within the context of summary judgment, because the Seventh Circuit clarified that parties who were prevented from responding to new evidentiary issues at the trial court level will receive that opportunity on appeal.